Tool 99: Interrelationship Digraph (I.D.)


AKA

Interaction-Relations Diagram, Network Diagram

Classification

Analyzing/Trending (AT)

Tool description

An interrelationship digraph displays causal relationships in a complex network of contributing factors. This digraph maps out a problem issue by establishing links among related ideas or issues.

Typical application

  • To understand and clarify interrelationships between ideas or issues in a complex problem.

  • To identify root causes of a potential problem.

  • To discover key cause and effect relationships.

  • To find connections that influence other factors within a process.

Problem-solving phase

Select and define problem or opportunity

Identify and analyze causes or potential change

Develop and plan possible solutions or change

Implement and evaluate solution or change

Measure and report solution or change results

Recognize and reward team efforts

Typically used by

Research/statistics

1

Creativity/innovation

Engineering

Project management

Manufacturing

Marketing/sales

Administration/documentation

3

Servicing/support

Customer/quality metrics

2

Change management

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links to other tools

before

  • Affinity Diagram

  • Brainstorming

  • Focus group

  • Cause and Effect Diagram (CED)

  • Problem specification

after

  • Tree diagram

  • Linking diagram

  • Potential problem analysis (PPA)

  • Opportunity analysis

  • Criteria rating form

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Notes and key points

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Step-by-step procedure

  • STEP 1 Acquire collected data from an affinity diagram or brainstorming session.

  • STEP 2 Reach consensus on some problem or key issue to be considered. See example What Causes Teams to Succeed?

  • STEP 3 Use an idea-generation tool such as brainstorming or affinity diagram to produce ideas.

  • STEP 4 Collect all ideas on cards or post-it notes as they are produced; place these around the card that has the problem or key issue statement.

  • STEP 5 After the flow of ideas has slowed, look for relationships between each and every idea. Draw arrows pointing to either the causes or effects. Continue until all placed ideas have been verified.

  • STEP 6 Finalize an I.D. using encoding information as shown in notes and key points. Count the number of arrows coming into each idea (in) and the number of lines leaving the same idea (out).

  • STEP 7 Identify ideas or issues that are major causes (MC) or effects (ME). Use double boxes or bold boxes respectively. Date the interrelationship digraph.

Example of tool application

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Six Sigma Tool Navigator(c) The Master Guide for Teams
Six Sigma Tool Navigator: The Master Guide for Teams
ISBN: 1563272954
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2005
Pages: 326

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